Hospitalists with Swedish Medical Group voted to join Northwest Medicine United, AFT Local 6552, becoming the first physicians in the Renton, Wash.-based Providence system to unionize in the state, the union said May 26 in a news release shared with Becker’s.
Swedish Medical Group is part of Providence Swedish, Providence’s health system in western Washington.
The vote covers about 115 hospitalists across five campuses in the Seattle area: Swedish Issaquah (Wash.) Campus, Swedish Edmonds (Wash.) Campus, and Swedish Cherry Hill Campus, Swedish First Hill Campus and Swedish Ballard Campus in Seattle.Clark Coler, MD, a hospitalist who has worked at Swedish for 32 years, said in the release the union will help physicians maintain “a stronger voice in how care is delivered” and support “leadership, collaboration and shared ownership.”
In addition to Providence, Northwest Medicine United represents physicians and advanced practice providers at health systems such as PeaceHealth and Legacy Health throughout the Pacific Northwest.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Providence said, “While we would have preferred to maintain a direct relationship with our clinicians, Swedish respects the choice made by our hospitalists. Although this outcome is disappointing, we are committed to bargaining in good faith with Northwest Medicine United toward a first agreement. Our focus remains on ensuring a supportive environment for clinicians and high-quality care for our patients.”
Providence operates 51 hospitals across seven states, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif.
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